WCU increases police patrol following sexual assaults

WEST CHESTER — Campus police will increase their presence following the recent reports of sexual assaults at West Chester University.

University spokeswoman Pam Sheridan released a statement via email to the Daily Local News following four reports of sexual assault and two cases of inappropriate touching during the spring semester.

All of the crimes — which varied in details — were reported by female victims. Police consider all the crimes to be unrelated.

“In light of the incidents that have been reported over the past four weeks, it is understandable that students and parents would be concerned about safety on campus,” Sheridan said.

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According to campus police, three prior sexual assaults occurred on campus in the last month. A sexual assault occurred on April 4 at 4 a.m. and on April 19 around 2:28 a.m., both on-campus in a residence hall. Another sexual assault that occurred on campus March 30 at 8 p.m. was reported to police on April 2.

A sexual assault on Jan. 27 in a residence hall was also reported to police. According to police, the assailant was known to the victim prior to the assault.

Sheridan did not respond to an inquiry by the Daily Local News concerning if arrests had been made in any of the cases.

“We encourage students to report any such incidents, even if they, themselves, are not directly involved,” Sheridan said. “Sexual assault includes actions ranging from inappropriate touching to forcible rape. The University considers all these incidents serious and is responding within the boundaries of the law.”

As a recipient of federal Title IV student financial aid, West Chester University is required to abide by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policies and Campus Crime Statistics. This law is more commonly referred to as the Clery Act.

“While WCU is required by federal law to notify the campus of these crimes, we also want to keep you abreast of each incident and the steps we are taking to ensure your safety,” the statement reads.

On the Department of Public Safety’s website, www.wcupa.edu/dps, in accordance with the Clery Act, certain crimes that are reported to campus police or the local police department, which impose a “serious or continuing threat” to students and employees, are required to have a notification issued. The crimes include murder, forcible and non-forcible sexual offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft and arson.

According to Public Safety, under the Clery Act, there were six forcible sex offenses in 2009; five in 2010; six in 2011 and seven in 2012.

“Please be assured that we are committed to keeping our campus community informed about these incidents through University timely warnings, postings on the Public Safety web site, and by sharing information with the news media,” Sheridan said.

WCU students received email notifications and text-alerts about the incidents, with a majority referred to as sexual assaults this year.

One incident, which occurred around 4:30 p.m. in the campus library on April 23, was originally communicated as a sexual assault. This incident, of a male touching a female’s thigh, was later referred to as an “indecent assault.”

The incident resulted in a summary harassment charge against Lawrence Tedeschi, 61, of West Chester, according to an official at the Chester County District Attorney’s office.

Students were also notified that a female student was groped as she walked between Goshen and Tyson residence halls. Police said that the male fled after the woman threatened the suspect, who appeared intoxicated, with “defensive spray.” This incident, which occurred around 12:30 a.m. Friday, was also characterized as a sexual assault in the notification.

In addition to the notifications of sexual assaults, students were also informed of an attempted vehicle theft last week.

According to Clery Act information posted on the Department of Public Safety website, timely warnings must be issued in accordance with the law if it meets the criteria. The criterion is based on the location and nature of the crime, if there a “serious or on-going threat to the campus community and to heighten safety awareness.” The threat of danger includes if a similar crime is probable to occur and if the suspect is at large.

The Clery Act defines a motor vehicle theft as the theft or attempted theft of a vehicle. A notification of an attempted “carjacking” was issued about an hour after the incident occurred on April 22 around 10:30 p.m. in the New Street garage near the campus.

According to campus police, a male told a female to exit her vehicle. The suspect did not use force, and did not display a weapon. She refused and drove off. The West Chester Police Department is investigating.

“No campus is entirely isolated from crime and West Chester University is no exception,” Sheridan said. “However, WCU has developed policies and implemented procedures in order to increase safety and security awareness and to provide precautionary measures for all campus community members.”

Sheridan said in response to these latest incidents, the Department of Public Safety is increasing bike patrols, as well as the visibility of its police officers in residence halls and academic buildings.

The Department of Public Safety includes police and security officers. The department has security officers at each residence hall and one security officer in the library, during certain hours.

University police officers also will attend meetings in the eight residence halls, on each individual floor, to address students’ concerns. It was unclear whether the police will speak at meetings with students who live in apartments on the university’s “south campus” area.

During the meetings, police will also remind students of precautions they can take to ensure their safety. Sheridan said that police will encourage students to use the department’s walking escort system. The escorts by police and security officers are to and from on campus locations only.

Sheridan also said that students are encouraged to report suspicious activities to Public Safety.

“We want our students to feel safe and enjoy their experience at WCU,” said Sheridan.

About the Author

Ginger Rae Dunbar is the Daily Local News reporter covering events in the Downingtown area. She is a 2012 graduate from West Chester University. Reach the author at gdunbar@dailylocal.com
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